HB 816, HCA 1 -- TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

SPONSOR:  Backer

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Consumer
Protection by a vote of 9 to 0.

This bill expands the deaf relay telecommunications service to
include the acquisition and distribution of equipment needed by
subscribers with certified disabilities that cause an inability
to use traditional telephone equipment and services.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is instructed to determine
by February 28, 1997, how best to implement a statewide
telecommunications equipment distribution program and to
establish a surcharge sufficient to fund the program.  The
surcharge will be applied to each basic telephone access line in
the state.  Local exchange telephone companies are permitted to
retain a portion of the surcharge, as determined by the PSC, to
recover the cost of administering the surcharge.

HCA 1 -- clarifies provisions related to local exchange
companies.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Partial Net Increase to Deaf Relay
Service and Equipment Distribution Program Fund of *$2,117,572
in FY 97, *$271,985 in FY 98, *$339,973 in FY 99.  Estimated Net
Cost To Deaf Relay Service Fund of $2,799,972 in FY 97, $0 in FY
98 and FY 99.

*Does not reflect any potential increase in the Deaf Relay
Service and Equipment Distribution Program Fund surcharge.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this bill will allow additional
and more modern telecommunications equipment to be made
available for persons with disabilities.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Backer; Gaye Jones;
Don Arnold; the Governor's Council on Disabilities; and Missouri
Assisted Technology.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Bill Tucker, Research Analyst

HB 816 -- Telecommunications Services For The Disabled

Sponsor:  Backer

This bill expands the deaf relay telecommunications service to
include the acquisition and distribution of equipment needed by
subscribers with certified disabilities that cause an inability
to use traditional telephone equipment and services.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is instructed to determine
by February 28, 1997, how best to implement a statewide
telecommunications equipment distribution program and to
establish a surcharge sufficient to fund the program.  The
surcharge will be applied to each basic telephone access line in
the state.  Local exchange telephone companies are permitted to
retain a portion of the surcharge, as determined by the PSC, to
recover the cost of administering the surcharge.